No End to the India–Pakistan Conflict
It is a huge myth that Pakistan will drop its hostility towards India, no matter how much you punish Pakistan with repeated wars and defeats. I will explain why?
To understand the persistent hostility between India and Pakistan, one must consider the broader historical context. The origins trace back to medieval times when Muslim Arab armies, followers of Prophet Muhammad, invaded and conquered parts of the Indian subcontinent. The local Hindu population, deeply immersed in spiritual and philosophical traditions, was unprepared for the militarized, expansionist forces of the Arab world. As a result, much of northern and western India fell under Muslim rule.
For nearly 700 years, Muslim dynasties governed large parts of India, often using force to convert sections of the Hindu population, especially in the western regions. This era ended with the arrival of the British, who defeated the ruling Muslim powers and colonized the subcontinent for two centuries. Upon their departure in 1947, Britain divided the region into two nations: Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan.
This partition, while aimed at resolving communal tensions, planted the seeds of enduring conflict. Pakistan’s ruling class harboured aspirations of regaining influence over India, leading to a series of wars. In 1948, they attempted to seize Kashmir. In 1965, they made a failed push toward Delhi. A more devastating defeat came in 1971 with the creation of Bangladesh. Another confrontation followed in 1999 during the Kargil conflict. Now, in 2025, tensions flare again—but India, far more prepared, stands ready to respond decisively.
This cycle is unlikely to end soon. In many ideological and strategic circles within Pakistan, the notion of defeat is unacceptable. As long as that mindset persists, conflict will likely continue.
Meanwhile, India has surged ahead in economic and military strength, while Pakistan has struggled, burdened by economic instability and reliance on subpar Chinese military equipment.
In the end, there may be only one path to lasting deterrence: asymmetry. If one side grows powerful enough, the other may stop considering war as an option. India appears to be pursuing this strategy—growing so strong that conflict becomes inconceivable.
Perhaps this approach will reduce the frequency of clashes. But eliminate them entirely? Unlikely.